Issue 66, July 2005
Specialist School Status
Thank you for helping us realise our vision! I am sure you will all know
by now that our bid to become a Specialist Science and Maths College has
been successful. This could not have been achieved without the tremendous
support and generosity of you, the parents, the enthusiastic fund-raising
of the pupils and the hard work of the staff.
We look forward to an exciting future with improved facilities and - hopefully
- even better results.
M Braidley, Headteacher
Goodbye to Staff
As another school year ends I should like to thank all parents/carers for
their continued support throughout the year. As always it is much appreciated.
I would also like to thank the following staff who are leaving us this summer.
Mr Morris, retires after twenty five years outstanding service in
our Technology department. Ian has led the department for many years and
has developed the several separate technology disciplines into a coherent
unit. Ian is a very talented artist and I’m certain he will be keen
to pursue this interest in future (along with his golf). Generations of Woodhey
pupils have benefited from Ian’s teaching of graphics. We all wish Ian
a long, happy and healthy retirement.
Mr Brooke, came to Woodhey on a temporary contract but has stayed
with us for ten years. Gary has been an excellent teacher in our English
and History departments and has achieved some outstanding GCSE results with
our pupils. Gary has been a key member of our school production backstage
crew and has supported numerous other school functions. Gary leaves us to
pursue other interests and we all wish him well for the future.
Mr Goodman, joined Woodhey as a newly qualified teacher five years
ago. Tony has been a real asset to our Maths department and his gregarious
nature and positive personality will be greatly missed by both staff and
pupils alike. Tony has supported and led a host of extra-curricular activities
and he thoroughly deserves his promotion to second in the Maths department
at Haslingden High School. I am sure everyone will join me in wishing Tony
every success for the future.
Mr Chamberlain, leaves us to pursue other interests after four years
teaching English and History at Woodhey. David has supported many school
activities and has brightened many lessons (and the staffroom) with his dry
sense of humour. We wish David every success in his future career and hope
he will come back to visit us.
Mr Davenport, leaves us after working for three years in our Technology
and ICT department . Roger has been a very versatile colleague in his time
at Woodhey and we wish him well in his new life in New Zealand.
We also say goodbye to Tom Ellis and Stephanie Jackson, two
of our SSA’s who are leaving to pursue their careers, we thank them
both and wish them well in the future.
Congratulations to Mrs Gander-Jones who recently gave birth to baby
Isabella. Both mum and daughter are fine.
We also wish Mrs Yates well on her maternity leave which starts in
September.
M Braidley, Headteacher
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Year 8 pupils on
their
Malham
field trip enjoying a brief rest on the ‘Limestone Pavement’. |
Arrangements for the first
day of the Autumn Term – Monday 5 September 2005
8.30 am - Year 7 pupils ONLY assemble in the ‘A’ yard, if fine,
and in the Frank Bennet Hall, if wet.
1.00 pm - Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 to arrive at school.
1.10 pm - Afternoon Registration for all pupils
Lunchtime Arrangements
On the first day of term, pupils will be issued with a letter asking for
confirmation as to whether they will be dining in school or going home for
lunch. All pupils should then keep to these arrangements for the remainder
of the term so that the record of pupils’ whereabouts at lunchtime is
up to date. Pupils should not purchase sandwiches and chips, etc. from local
shops and eat them in the community. The well-being and safety of pupils
are our main concern.
P Burrow, Deputy Headteacher
Uniform Suppliers
Intersport Bury Ltd, 33 The Haymarket, Bury
Cocker’s Sports, Burnley
Murray’s Family Clothing, 26 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom
Monkhouses, 116 The Rock, Bury
PTs, Unit 14, The Market Hall Bury
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Young
Enterprise - Party People
This has been a successful year for ‘Party People’. Any event and
we were there!
Focusing on services such as ‘Tuck’ and a disco, we made a good
profit and paid ourselves a good wage. We paid a 20% dividend to those brave
enough to invest in our company. We had great fun and gained experience which
will be useful to us in later life. We also now have a certificate, which
will be recognised by business - something extra to add to our Progress File!
Young Enterprise |
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Young Consumer
Earlier this year, myself and three other year 10 pupils, Laura Kyffin, Nick
Lamont and Tom Dutton, took part in the
‘Young Consumer
of the Year’ competition. This involved answering questions about
consumer organisations, Europe, Safety and the Environment, Money and Finance
and Food and Drink.
For the first round, we went down to the Elizabethan Suite in Bury and competed
against other schools. After trailing behind a bit, we pulled through on
the buzzer round and managed to win! Woodhey have now won for the third year
in a row.
Having won the first round, a few weeks later we were invited to the
Trafford Centre to take part
in the North West final. Once at the Trafford Centre, we were treated to
a free lunch of whatever we wanted! There were many competitors in the final
and although we answered many questions correctly, unfortunately we did not
win. We did however learn lots and have a good time.
Rosalyn Mallinder (10K) |
Parents - Do you know where
your children are?
I have been contacted by the Police who have informed me that large groups
of young people (boys and girls) have started to congregate on Bolton Road
West in the evening. This in itself is not a problem, but recently damage
has been done to personal property, cars and gardens.
The latter is obviously very anti-social and unacceptable. We know that not
all the culprits are from Woodhey, but some of them will be.
As Woodhey is an integral part of the local community we want our pupils
to be positive citizens and reflect well on the school - even when they are
not in uniform. Before events take a turn for the worse, the Police are asking
parents to monitor the behaviour of their children and know where they are
at all times . After all, we all want our pupils to be safe and the neighbourhood
to remain quiet and pleasant.
M Braidley, Headteacher
Friends of Woodhey
Grand Spring Raffle
Thank you to all who bought tickets for this year’s Friends of Woodhey
Grand Spring Raffle. Over £320 was raised for school funds. This
year’s main prize was a 14 inch combined TV / DVD player which was won
by Joe Rushton. The second prize of an iPod Mini was won by Rachael Calvey,
the third prize of a DVD player was won by Mary Chadwick, and Charlotte Loftus
won the fourth prize of £50. Congratulations to all our winners and
thanks again to all who supported the raffle.
Friends of Woodhey
Uniform Shop
Now is perhaps the best time of year to remind parents that we are constantly
in need of clean, good quality, unwanted school uniform for our School Uniform
Shop. All types and sizes of uniform are needed. Please bring any unwanted
uniform items to the School Office.
The next School Uniform Shop will be in school at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 21st
September 2005.
Bury College/Holy Cross ICT Taster Days
This year some of the Year 11 ICT students went to both
Bury College and
Holy Cross to sample the computing
courses the Colleges had to offer. Firstly we went to Bury College early
in the year, where we learnt the basics of Visual Basic, enjoyed a treasure
hunt and some unique form time activities. The free lunch also went down
well with all involved. We later visited Holy Cross, for a day of rather
different activities focused purely on the computing side of life. We spent
a day on Visual Basic, creating our own ‘Space Invader’ game -
which was really entertaining to say the least! Overall the days were highly
successful and definitely enlightening, something which I would recommend
to anyone who is considering taking computing at college.
Steven Pycroft (11C)
Parents’ Surgery
Once a month, I will stay behind after school and hold a ‘surgery’
which is open to any parent who would like to discuss anything with me. No
appointment is necessary and the meeting will be quite informal. Parents
will be seen on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Next term the meetings will be from 4.00 – 6.00 pm in the Library at
school on 28 September and 7 December These meeting are intended to be for
parents who consider the usual channels inappropriate. The ‘surgery’
is in addition to the current procedure, not a replacement for it.
Reminder: If you have a concern about your child the usual route is
- Contact the Form Tutor to discuss the situation.
- Contact the Head of Year to discuss the situation.
- Contact Mr Cutting – the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral).
- Contact the Headteacher – Mr Braidley.
From September 2005 the Heads of Year are:
Year 7 – Mrs Farrell
Year 8 – Mrs Rhodes-Werner
Year 9 – Mrs Macwilliam
Year 10 – Mr Giles
Year 11– Mrs Bennett
It would be extremely helpful if you would keep to this structure and not
contact the more senior staff members directly, unless it is an emergency.
M Braidley, Headteacher
Sainsbury Vouchers
With all the vouchers received we’ve been able to order nearly 30 coloured
vests for use in PE activities. Thanks for all your support.
L Rhodes-Werner
Carnegie Shadowing Review Team
On Wednesday 6 June a small team of pupils went to Ashton-on-Mersey High
School. The two schools in their Carnegie Shadowing review teams discussed
together the views and ideas about the books they had been set to read. Teams
from both schools got the chance to mingle and meet new people. All the groups
made a presentation on the book that they thought should win. At the end
of the session they voted on the book they thought and hoped would win.
All in all, both schools got something out of it and I am sure everyone enjoyed
it. I know I did!
On behalf of the Woodhey Carnegie Shadowing Review team I would like to thank
Mr Puzzar for driving us, and Mrs Maguire and Mrs Fitton for organising the
team and the trip.
Hope Booth (8P)
Tesco Vouchers
This year we’ve counted over 180,000 Tesco vouchers. With these vouchers,
we are ordering a Colour Laser printer, DVD Player and DVD-R disks. Many
thanks for all your support.
If you have any vouchers left, please hand them in and we will keep them
safe for next year.
L Rhodes-Werner
Timings of the School Day
From September the school day will start for pupils at 08.35 and finish at
15.15 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 15.25 on Wednesday. The
change will help accommodate extra-curricular activities, increase time available
for staff meetings/training, and falls in line with other Bury high schools.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Registration 08.35 - 08.45
Period 1 08.45 - 09.45
Period 2 09.45 - 10.45
Break 10.45 - 11.05
Period 3 11.05 - 12.05
Lunch 12.05 - 13.05
Registration 13.05 - 13.15
Period 4 13.15 - 14.15
Period 5 14.15 - 15.5
Wednesday
Registration 13.05 - 13.25
Period 4 13.25 - 14.25
Period 5 14.25 - 15.25
Friends of
Woodhey
100 Club
The winners of the 100 Club draws for May and June are J Mullineux and S
Gehlhaar.
Thanks to all who have joined the 100 Club and to those who continue to support
it.
Art Department
On Monday 20 June both Year 10 GCSE Art and Design groups went on a trip
to the Degree Shows at
MMU. They saw a wide variety of work ranging from Embroidery to Constructed
Textiles and Fashion, from Architecture and Landscape Architecture, to
Three-dimensional Design and Photography. The pupils also saw the work from
the Foundation course (pre-degree). There were plenty of opportunities to
talk to students and look through their sketchbooks. This was an invaluable
experience and below are some of the pupils’ thoughts.
I realise now just how hard you have to work in order to get such good
results.
I want to reach the same high standards that we saw.
The trip gave me ideas of what I would like to do at University.
The range of media used inspired me and it gave me lots of ideas.
I am glad we went because I can now clearly see how much time and effort
people put into their projects.
The trip to MMU made me realise that Art can come in many different forms.
The work at MMU was of a very high standard and so diverse.
I thought the trip was great because it made me realise the high standards
expected and how I should be working towards these.
Everything inspired me and I could see the amount of time people spent on
their work.
The exhibition was very different and I now realise what some of the potential
careers are in Art and Design.
Many thanks to Mrs Burrow and Mr Pilling for supporting us on the day
L Aymen
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Bury Schools’
Athletics Championships
Well done to all athletes who competed in searing temperatures of 30°.
Special congratulations go to the following athletes for their results
Ben Coop Gold 1500m
Matthew Collum Gold Long Jump
Matthew Collum Bronze Triple Jump
Nick Edge Silver Javelin
Liz King Bronze Shot Putt
Sophie Ware Bronze 1500m
H Turner |
Friends of Woodhey
Achievements and Future Plans
We are very pleased to announce that with your generous support we have raised
almost £8,000 this year. The bulk of this money (£5,000) has gone
towards supporting the school’s bid to achieve Specialist School status
and we are extremely proud to be associated with the success of the bid.
We have provided much-needed equipment throughout the school, which has included
computers, cameras, musical instruments, and gym equipment. We have also
this year, with the help of pupils, improved the garden areas directly in
front of the main school offices.
As usual our Christmas and Summer Fairs have been our biggest fund-raising
successes. However, there have been lots of other fund-raising events and
activities throughout the year. These have included sales of bulbs and plants,
an extremely popular Fashion Show, the Holcombe Hill Challenge Run, 100 Club,
FOW Annual Dinner, a Silent Auction, regular waste paper collections, a duck
race and many other activities and events.
Future projects being supported by Friends of Woodhey include sound and lighting
systems for the Frank Bennett Hall and more benches around the school for
use by pupils at lunch and break times. These projects will, of course, only
be possible with your continued support. Unless we get new members joining
the organising committee, next year is likely to be an extremely difficult
year for Friends of Woodhey.
Several long-standing members will have “retired” at the end of
this year as their sons and daughters leave school. There are many new parents
to the school who bring with them valuable experience in working with PTAs
at primary schools. This experience will be invaluable to the continued success
of Friends of Woodhey.
If you feel that you have the skills and enthusiasm that could help improve
the quality of education for your children and would like to work with the
Friends of Woodhey, then you are welcome to come along to our AGM, which
will be held at 7.00p.m on Wednesday 21 September 2005 in the school library.
Alternatively ring Bob on 01706 828617 for further details.
Thank you once again for your continued support.
Name that Uniform!
Please could parents make sure that all uniform is named. We have so many
‘Lost Property’ items with no names in - often very expensive items
too!
P Burrow, Deputy Headteacher
Friends of Woodhey
Wine Tasting Evening
R & R Wines of Brandlesholme kindly hosted a “Call my Bluff”
Wine Tasting Evening on Friday 10 June with proceeds going to school funds.
Despite the poor response the evening was enjoyed by all who attended with
over £70 being raised. Thanks to all who supported this.
Valuables in School
Please could I remind parents that the wearing of jewellery (apart from a
wrist watch) is not allowed in school. We also discourage pupils from bringing
into school large sums of money, although if pupils do need to bring in such
sums they can be placed in the safe by a member of staff until the end of
the school day, when they can be collected. Many thanks for your cooperation
in encouraging your children not to bring their mobile phones into school.
We do confiscate them if they come to our attention, but you may reclaim
them from school the following day, or your child may collect the phone at
3.45 pm on Fridays.
Mini-disc players, iPods, MP3s and other valuables are also not allowed in
school. Unfortunately, the school’s insurance does not cover loss of
or damage to such valuable items. For this reason also, we would encourage
you to provide appropriate locks for bicycles ridden to school.
Many thanks for your cooperation in these matters.
P Burrow, Deputy Headteacher
Peak-time Parking
As of the return to school on Monday, 5 September 2005 parents will not be
allowed to bring their cars on site to collect their children between the
hours of 3.00 pm and 4 pm. This measure is purely to ensure the health and
safety of our pupils and to enable school buses to enter and leave the school
grounds unhindered. We respectfully ask that all parents support us in this
measure by picking up their children, if this is absolutely necessary, at
a pre-arranged point in the neighbourhood of the school (e.g. the estate
behind ‘The Brook,’ the estate around Lancaster Avenue or Holcombe
Brook precinct).
Parents should not block either the approach road to school or Est Bank Road,
to which residents and emergency vehicles need access.
Thank you for your cooperation.
M Braidley, Headteacher
Keeping up Appearances
We have always been proud of the general smart appearance of Woodhey pupils
in uniform, a pride which we believe contributes to the school’s excellent
reputation and standing in the community.
Please could I ask that parents continue to support us in this matter by
ensuring that their children leave for school in the morning correctly dressed,
with shirts tucked in and skirts rolled down to their proper length. Many
girls now wear their skirts so short that from the back it is difficult to
see that they are actually wearing a skirt! This is clearly unacceptable.
Many of you will be buying new uniform for your sons and daughters ready
for the new term in September. Please reinforce with your child the need
to look smart and to dress appropriately for school.
P Burrow, Deputy Headteacher
Stories for Infants
On Wednesday 29 June, 8ACG, set1 English visited St Andrew’s primary
school with some stories starring Francesca Fairy, Dolly Deer, Gordon the
Garden Gnome and many more characters! It gave the class a chance to be really
creative and as childish as they wanted. We needed to make the books look
appealing for the younger children. For the visit some of us took in toys
or things to do with the story, which the children enjoyed. They listened
carefully to our stories - this was nice because it showed us that they were
interested and our efforts weren’t wasted. There were a few boys that
got a bit restless nearer to the end, but we didn’t let that distract
us or stop us reading to the others!
Overall, the project was really good, and 8ACG had a great day out.
We would love to visit again!
Jess Hoy (8G)
Rounders
Some excellent and exciting matches have been played since half term with
the following results
v Bury Church
Year 7 won 7½ - 4½
Year 9 drew 9 - 9
Year 10 Rally beat St Gabriels’ St Monica’s and Philips
only to lose in the final 4 - 7½ to Elton.
Year 7 and Year 8 Flat Bat Mini-tournament
v Elton won 70 - 47
v Tottington won 70 - 39
v St Gabriel’s won 63 - 37
Year 9 Rally - beat Parrenthorn and St Monica’s but lost to St
Gabriel’s in semi-final.
Year 9 and Year 10 Flat Bat
v Tottington lost 215 - 188.
Year 8 Rally - beat Castlebrook and Prestwich but lost 6½ - 7½
in the semi-final.
H Finbow |
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Cricket
Year 7 County Cup
v Audenshaw (lost by 30 runs)
Man of the Match - Matthew Sutton (7H) (took 5 wickets)
Year 7/8 Bury Cup
v Elton (lost by 3 wickets)
Man of the Match - Jackson Garner (7P) (took 4 wickets)
H Turner
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Rugby tour
to South Africa
Many thanks to all parents and pupils who have donated kit and boots for
my forthcoming tour of South Africa. In one week we managed to collect over
150 pairs of boots as well as many items of sports clothing. This will be
greatly appreciated by the youngsters of the Motherwell Township in Port
Elizabeth.
Thanks again for your support.
H Turner |
Basketball-results
v Tottington
Year 7 won 26 - 2
Man of the match - Ben Knight (7H)
Year 8 lost 18 - 32
Man of the match - Reece Lomax (8H)
Year 8 lost 16 - 75
Man of the match - Daniel Harrison (8H) |
Harlem
Globetrotters trip
On Friday 13 May Mr Garcka and Mr Turner took 21 Year 7 and 8 boys to the
MEN Arena to watch the world famous
Harlem Globetrotters.
Our boys had the opportunity to witness some of the finest basketball players
in the world display their tricks against a team of American Nationals.
A great night was had by all, especially Danny Harrison (8H) who managed
to get his basketball signed by the squad.
L Garcka |
Netball
Congratulations to Livvy Barber who has been selected out of the final twenty
for the England U19 netball team on Sunday 10 July. She now goes to attend
a five day residential camp at Loughborough University in August and hopefully
will be selected into the final squad of twelve players.
H Finbow
Basketball
Year 8 v Philips lost 20 - 28. Man of Match Tom Massey. |
PE Kit
If parents intend ordering new PE kit for September, it would be most helpful
if orders could be placed before the beginning of the summer holiday, so
our suppliers can have all items ready for the start of the new school year.
Order forms are available from PE staff or the General Office.
If buying new trainers for your son/daughter please ensure that you choose
suitable footwear. Many of the popular “fashion-type” trainers
now available, including baseball boots, have very thin soles and are unsuitable
for sporting activities. These offer little support to the foot and possess
little or no shock-absorbing qualities to protect the knee and ankle joints.
Thank you in advance for your co-operation.
H Finbow |
Friends of
Woodhey
Holcombe Hill Challenge and Fun Run
Fortyfive brave pupils and one parent set off from the Hare and Hounds on
a 2.7 mile circuit up to Peel Tower, across to Holcombe Village and back
down to the Hare and Hounds to complete this year’s Holcombe Hill Challenge
Run.
This year’s winners were:
Boys
Joe Hanley 8K
William Cunningham 10H
Ben Coop 7G
Edward Neate 9G
Girls
Ellie Jones 8A
Sophie Ware 7G
Ellie Garret 9G
Rosie Anderton 10G
Mr Braidley presented prizes in the Hare and Hounds where sandwiches and
soft drinks were provided for all entrants and marshals. So far almost £300
in sponsor money has been raised.
Well done to all runners, marshals and sponsors.
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5-a-side Football
Congratulations to the Year 9 boys who won Ramsbottom Sports Week’s
5-a-side competition. The boys entered themselves into the competition where
they competed against other teams to win the trophy. The team comprised Anthony
Fearnley, Anthony Moore, Adam Jackson, Matthew Collum and Matthew Williams.
H Finbow |
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Friends of
Woodhey
Summer Fair
The sun shone on this year’s Summer Fair on Sunday 3 July which was
a great success raising over £2,100.
This year the Fair was held in conjunction with a Car Boot Sale, which was
extremely well supported. Thank you to all who contributed and attended and
a special thanks to all parents, staff and pupils who helped on the day.
|
Battle of the Bands
In May we held our fifth Battle of the Bands in the Frank Bennett Hall. This
was a fantastic evening with 12 bands from Woodhey, St Gabriel’s and
Tottington High Schools competing. In between the competing bands, there
were some superb items from other performers. The hall was completely full,
and there was a great atmosphere as the different bands played. Many thanks
to all who helped with the evening in any way, particularly Lee Reville,
our electric guitar teacher and to the Friends of Woodhey who sold refreshments.
Thanks also to the performers, to the judges on that evening and to all staff,
parents and pupils for being a fantastic audience.
The money raised through sale of tickets (approx £400) went towards
the Specialist Science College bid.
The final results were:
1st place Distorted Vision
2nd place Plus Special Guests
3rd place Blind Panic
4th place Mix Tape.
Expressive Arts - Next Term
1. Showstoppers
In September Mrs Baines and Miss Bell will be holding auditions for singers
and dancers to take part in a “Showstoppers” evening in December.
This show will involve songs and dances from well known musicals and the
evening will give many performers from all years the opportunity to perform
as soloists, in groups and choruses or as dancers. The choreography will
be by Debra Simmons who has choreographed all of our recent shows. Please
look out for further information about auditions as soon as we come back
in September. This “Showstoppers” evening will give all of our
very talented male and female performers an opportunity to show what they
can do, and will replace our school production for next year only.
2. Choir
We will be inviting singers from all years to join the choir in September.
3. Orchestra
The orchestra has been rehearsing at 8.15 am on Wednesday throughout this
year. This timing has caused difficulties for some pupils and so next year
orchestra will move to an after-school slot. Hopefully this will encourage
more instrumentalists to attend. Many thanks to Alison Good, who has conducted
the orchestra all this year.
4. Samba Workshop
In September we will be starting a Samba workshop. This is for anyone who
enjoys playing percussion or drums. No previous experience is necessary,
just enthusiasm and a good sense of rhythm!!
5. Instrumental/Vocal Lessons (strings, brass woodwind, percussion,
acoustic and electric guitar, keyboard and voice)
If you still want to learn an instrument or have singing lessons in school,
see Mrs Baines or Miss Bell, to start in September.
C Baines
Friends of Woodhey
Waste Paper Collection
There will be waste paper collections on Sunday 17 July and Sunday 21 August.
Please continue to support this fundraiser.
Make Poverty History
All our family were together, having fun, in our home,
Listening to Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Sting and Joss Stone.
One after the other,
All day and all night
They played for free to show we should fight.
I don’t mean to squabble or fall out with each other,
But to fight for a life for each sister and brother
‘cos over in Africa, Saturdays are no fun,
Just another bad day under a hot burning sun.
Millions watched the concerts, together as one,
To tell our politicians, that we want something done!
By the time it was over, and we went tired to our bed
Another 30,000 children in Africa were dead.
I know it’s not easy, but we still have to try -
We would not dream of leaving our friends to die,
What is the difference if they are here or over there?
Let’s all try to do something and show that we care.
This week up in Scotland our leaders will meet -
I hope when they finish they will have poverty beat.
Anything’s possible - it’s year 2005.
Say a prayer for Africa, let’s keep them alive!
Grace Parfitt (8A)
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